Rhabdomyolysis secondary to a weight-loss prescription.

We present a case of a case of a man in his 70s on multiple medications (including treatment of ischemic heart disease and diabetes who developed significant rhabdomyolysis, complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI) and encephalopathy, while using a compounded medication for weight loss. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and progressed favourably after haemodialysis and supportive care. Information regarding the ingestion of weight-loss drugs was unknown at the time of admission and was only discovered after resolution of encephalopathy, raising the possibility of toxin-associated rhabdomyolysis. This case emphasises the need for a thorough clinical history and scrutiny of the safety of weight-loss prescriptions, including preparations that comprise a combination of drugs and supplements that may adversely interact with chronic medications, especially in polymedicated patients.

Mesenchymal stem cell secretome for regenerative medicine: Where do we stand?

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies have yielded beneficial effects in a broad range of preclinical models and clinical trials for human diseases. In the context of MSC transplantation, it is widely recognized that the main mechanism for the regenerative potential of MSCs is not their differentiation, with in vivo data revealing transient and low engraftment rates. Instead, MSCs therapeutic effects are mainly attributed to its secretome, i.e., paracrine factors secreted by these cells, further offering a more attractive and innovative approach due to the effectiveness and safety of a cell-free product. AIM OF REVIEW: In this review, we will discuss the potential benefits of MSC-derived secretome in regenerative medicine with particular focus on respiratory, hepatic, and neurological diseases. Both free and vesicular factors of MSC secretome will be detailed. We will also address novel potential strategies capable of improving their healing potential, namely by delivering important regenerative molecules according to specific diseases and tissue needs, as well as non-clinical and clinical studies that allow us to dissect their mechanisms of action. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: MSC-derived secretome includes both soluble and non-soluble factors, organized in extracellular vesicles (EVs). Importantly, besides depending on the cell origin, the characteristics and therapeutic potential of MSC secretome is deeply influenced by external stimuli, highlighting the possibility of optimizing their characteristics through preconditioning approaches. Nevertheless, the clarity around their mechanisms of action remains ambiguous, whereas the need for standardized procedures for the successful translation of those products to the clinics urges.

Mental health outcomes of family carers after admission to aged care: A cross-sectional survey study.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the predictors of poor mental health outcomes among family carers of residents after transitioning into residential aged care. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, five groups of variables were evaluated as predictors: caregiver demographics; caregiving load; resident-related variables; loneliness and visiting frequency; and the impact of the COVID-19 context. A total of 309 primary family contacts of all residents of two residential aged care organisations in the state of Victoria (Australia) participated in the study (response rate 19%). The K-10 and the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers were used to measure the primary outcomes. We compared psychological distress and burden outcomes between carers whose relative was admitted within the last 12 months, or longer than 12 months ago. RESULTS: Time since admission (<12 months or >12 months) did not affect the level of psychological distress (t (238) = -.08, p = .94) or subjective burden (t (245) = -.89, p = .38). Being a woman, a spouse, speaking a language other than English at home, being less satisfied with the support offered by the facility, not feeling supported in the decision to admit their relative, being lonely and providing higher levels of care preadmission were predictors of poor mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Older women with low-English proficiency who were primary carers and are socially isolated, are more likely to experience poor mental health outcomes and need additional support. These findings may inform the development of screening tools and tailored interventions to support this population during and after the transition process.

Neurological Spectrum of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: A Rare Clinical Case.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a DNA virus that has been infecting humans since ancient times, capable of causing a wide range of pathologies and affecting approximately 90% of the population. A 61-year-old male with no significant medical history presented with a 5-day history of imbalance and difficulty walking. Neurological examination revealed specific findings, including absent reflexes, bilateral asynergy, and gait abnormalities. Contrasting with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, lumbar puncture suggested a central nervous system infection. Serological testing confirmed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity, and intravenous immunoglobulin led to significant improvement. Electromyogram results suggested inflammatory/ipnfectious polyradiculopathy. Repeat EBV serology, showing strongly positive IgG and negative IgM, confirmed the diagnosis of Polyradiculoneuropathy secondary to EBV. This case underscores the rare neurological complications of EBV and the importance of considering viral infections in such presentations.

IncobotulinumtoxinA in refractory temporomandibular disorder due to disk dislocation: A prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may include conditions involving the temporomandibular joint and/or masticatory muscles. Approximately 20 % of patients are refractory to first-line therapies. This study aims to evaluate the effects and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of refractory TMD due to disk dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental one-arm prospective study was conducted. Target population included individuals with a diagnosis of TMD due to disk dislocation. Patients were treated with electromyography or ultrasound guided injection of incobotulinumtoxinA in the masticatory muscles (20 U into each masseter and pterygoideus lateralis). Pain was assessed using the pain numerical rating scale, maximum unassisted mouth opening was measured in mm, and adverse events were registered at baseline, week 4, week 12 and week 24 post-treatment. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon test for the comparison of paired samples and the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples, considering a p-value ≤ 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: 51 patients with 75 painful temporomandibular joints due to disk dislocation (38 with reduction and 37 without) were included. A significant reduction in pain from a pre-treatment mean of 6.08/10 to a post-treatment mean of 2.04/10 (week 4), 3.18/10 (week 12), and 3.65/10 (week 24) was observed (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in maximum unassisted mouth opening from a pre-treatment mean of 36.45 mm to a post-treatment mean of 32.29 mm at week 4 was observed (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Botulinum toxin injection of the masticatory muscles is safe and seems equally effective in reducing pain in patients with refractory TMD due to disk dislocation.

Rigorous pH measurement in non-aqueous solution: measurement method and reference values in ethanol.

The recently introduced unified pH ([Formula: see text]) concept enables rigorous pH measurements in non-aqueous and mixed media while at the same time maintaining comparability to the conventional aqueous pH scale. However, its practical application is hindered by a shortage of reference [Formula: see text] values. In order to improve this situation, the European Metrology Research Project (EMPIR) UnipHied ("Realisation of a UnipHied pH scale") launched an interlaboratory comparison among highly experienced electrochemistry expert laboratories to assign the first such reference [Formula: see text] values by adopting an extensive statistical treatment of the reported measurement data: to phosphate buffer in water-ethanol mixture (50 wt% of ethanol) and ammonium formate buffer in pure ethanol. Two different measurement setups - one capable of being easily adopted in industrial applications - have been used to demonstrate the robustness of [Formula: see text] measurement. This is an important step towards wider adoption of the [Formula: see text] concept in practice, like liquid chromatography, biofuels analysis and electrocatalysis.

Shoulder Spasticity Treatment With Botulinum Toxin: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of Clinical Practices.

INTRODUCTION: Upper limb spasticity can be responsible for several complications (e.g., pain, spasms, contractures, deformity, decreased or lost motor control), which can have a negative impact on functional independence and the quality of life of patients. Chemodenervation with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is a first-line treatment of focal spasticity in the upper limb (UL). However, shoulder muscles were not included in the classical pivotal BoNT-A studies, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the application of intra-muscular BoNT-A in the spasticity management of this anatomical area compared with the arm and forearm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional nationwide online survey of the current Portuguese clinical practices for BoNT-A injections treating shoulder spasticity. Data were collected regarding the patient's spasticity cause, shoulder muscles treated, BoNT-A doses, guidance methods used, primary goal domains, treatment effectiveness, adverse effects, and recommendation of adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: A total of 33 physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians were surveyed. Most of the surveyed doctors (90.91%; n = 30) identified post-stroke spasticity as the major condition for the use of BoNT-A injections in their clinical practice. The most frequently injected muscles for patterns that included shoulder adduction and internal rotation were the pectoralis major (100%; n = 33), subscapularis (93.94%; n = 31), latissimus dorsi (54.55%; n = 18), and teres major (24.24%; n = 8). In patterns including shoulder extension, the posterior deltoid (75.76%; n = 25), the long head of the triceps brachii (66.67%; n = 22), and the latissimus dorsi (48.48%; n = 16) were the most frequently targeted muscles. The primary goals of treatments were improvements in passive function (96.97%; n = 32), pain (84.85%; n = 28), active function (45.45%; n = 15), and range of motion (39.39%; n = 13). The overall impression of therapeutic efficacy was "good" (60.61%; n = 20), and adverse drug reactions were considered "very rare" (84.85%; n = 28) and "mild" (93.94%; n = 31). Ultrasound was used "always" and "most times" in 66.67% (n = 22) of cases. The maximum BoNT-A doses per muscle were lower than those in previously reported studies. Conventional kinesiotherapy was "always" recommended as adjuvant therapy after BoNT-A by 66.67% (n = 22) of physiatrists. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first nationwide Portuguese description of "real-life" clinical practices concerning the use of BoNT-A for shoulder spasticity. The selection of goal domains aligned with international results, and the targeted muscles were relatively similar. The use of ultrasound was high, and the maximum BoNT-A doses per muscle were lower than those in other reported clinical practices. The providers reviewed indicated high safety satisfaction with using BoNT-A for shoulder spasticity. Further development of clinical guidelines to standardize practices may be useful.

Prevalence and risk factors for acquired long QT syndrome in the emergency department: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heterogeneous syndrome that may be congenital or, more frequently, acquired. The real-world prevalence of acquired LQTS (aLQTS) in the emergency department (ED) remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of aLQTS and its impact on symptoms on ED admissions. METHODS: Electrocardiograms (ECG) of 5,056 consecutively patients admitted in the ED of a tertiary hospital between January 28th and March 17th of 2020 were reviewed. All patients with aLQTS were included. Clinical data with a focus on QT prolonging drugs and clinical factors were recorded. Statistical comparison was made between the groups with and without corrected QT (QTc) interval greater than 500 ms (value that is considered severely increased). RESULTS: A total of 383 ECGs with prolonged QTc were recognized, corresponding to a prevalence of aLQTS at admission of 7.82%. Patients with aLQTS were more commonly men (53.3%) with an age of (73.49±14.79) years old and QTc interval of (505.3±32.4) ms. Only 20.4% of these patients with aLQTS were symptomatic. No ventricular arrhythmias were recorded. Patients with QT interval greater than 500 ms were more frequently female (59.5%; P<0.001) and were more frequently on QT prolonging drugs (77.3%; P=0.025). Main contributing factor was intake of antibiotics (odds ratio [OR] 4.680) followed by female gender (OR 2.473) and intake of antipsychotics (OR 1.925). CONCLUSION: aLQTS is particularly prevalent in the ED. Female patients on antibiotics and antipsychotics are at particularly high risk. Efforts must be made to avoid, detect and treat aLQTS as early as possible.

Stem cell models of Angelman syndrome.

Angelman syndrome (AS) is an imprinted neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks a cure, characterized by developmental delay, intellectual impairment, seizures, ataxia, and paroxysmal laughter. The condition arises due to the loss of the maternally inherited copy of the UBE3A gene in neurons. The paternally inherited UBE3A allele is unable to compensate because it is silenced by the expression of an antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS) on the paternal chromosome. UBE3A, encoding enigmatic E3 ubiquitin ligase variants, regulates target proteins by either modifying their properties/functions or leading them to degradation through the proteasome. Over time, animal models, particularly the Ube3a mat-/pat+ Knock-Out (KO) mice, have significantly contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AS. However, a shift toward human pluripotent stem cell models (PSCs), such as human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has gained momentum. These stem cell models accurately capture human genetic and cellular characteristics, offering an alternative or a complement to animal experimentation. Human stem cells possess the remarkable ability to recapitulate neurogenesis and generate "brain-in-a-dish" models, making them valuable tools for studying neurodevelopmental disorders like AS. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art human stem cell models of AS and explore their potential to become the preclinical models of choice for drug screening and development, thus propelling AS therapeutic advancements and improving the lives of affected individuals.

Assessing the fidelity of a behavioural intervention involving academic detailing in general practice: a sub-study of the 'Implementing work-related Mental health guidelines in general PRacticE' (IMPRovE) trial.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the fidelity of intervention components enables researchers to make informed judgements about the influence of those components on the observed outcome. The 'Implementing work-related Mental health guidelines in general PRacticE' (IMPRovE) trial is a hybrid III trial aiming to increase adherence to the 'Clinical Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of work-related mental health conditions in general practice'. IMPRovE is a multifaceted intervention, with one of the central components being academic detailing (AD). This study describes the fidelity to the protocol for the AD component of the IMPRovE intervention. METHOD: All AD sessions for the trial were audio-recorded and a sample of 22% were randomly selected for fidelity assessment. Fidelity was assessed using a tailored proforma based on the Modified Conceptual Framework for fidelity assessment, measuring duration, coverage, frequency and content. A descriptive analysis was used to quantify fidelity to the protocol and a content analysis was used to elucidate qualitative aspects of fidelity. RESULTS: A total of eight AD sessions were included in the fidelity assessment. The average fidelity score was 89.2%, ranging from 80 to 100% across the eight sessions. The sessions were on average 47 min long and addressed all of the ten chapters in the guideline. Of the guideline chapters, 9 were frequently discussed. The least frequently discussed chapter related to management of comorbid conditions. Most general practitioner (GP) participants used the AD sessions to discuss challenges with managing secondary mental conditions. In line with the protocol, opinion leaders who delivered the AD sessions largely offered evidence-based strategies aligning with the clinical guideline recommendations. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The IMPRovE AD intervention component was delivered to high fidelity. The sessions adhered to the intended duration, coverage, frequency, and content allowing participating GPs to comprehend the implementation of the guideline in their own practice. This study also demonstrates that the Modified Conceptual Fidelity Framework with a mixed methods approach can support the assessment of implementation fidelity of a behavioural intervention in general practice. The findings enhance the trustworthiness of reported outcomes from IMPRovE and show that assessing fidelity is amenable for AD and should be incorporated in other studies using AD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12620001163998, November 2020.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome Caused by Polycythemia Vera: A Case Report.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare condition characterized by the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. It has various potential etiologies, with myeloproliferative neoplasms representing the most prevalent pathogenic association. Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old male who manifested abdominal pain and ascites. Subsequent clinical investigation revealed the presence of BCS secondary to a myeloproliferative syndrome, specifically polycythemia vera. This case emphasizes the importance of diagnosing BCS and conducting a thorough investigation into its underlying etiology.

Intraoperative Coronary Spasm: A Potential Case of Vasospastic Angina.

Prinzmetal's angina typically features spasms of the coronary arteries due to the hyperreactivity of the vascular smooth muscle cells of the vessels to a nonspecific stimulus. Reports of coronary spasm during general anesthesia are rare, but in such cases, diagnosis is suggested by a framework of angina at rest and changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) or coronary reactivity tests with ergonovine or acetylcholine. The present study describes a case of coronary spasm induced by general anesthesia associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and the usage of vasoactive drugs that was documented by angiography without using stimulating drugs and treated with intracoronary nitroglycerin. The patient was a 58-year-old male who was designated for carotid endarterectomy due to the stenosis (70%) of the right internal carotid artery by an atheromatous plaque after visiting the emergency department with a sensorimotor deficit in the left upper limb and bifrontal headaches with sudden onset. During the surgical intervention, after the administration of 10 mg of intravenous ephedrine, cardiorespiratory arrest occurred, with alternation between defibrillable and non-defibrillable heart paces. After the recovery of spontaneous circulation after 50 minutes of resuscitation maneuvers, the patient was transported to the hemodynamics laboratory, where there were recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation during the angioplasty of the anterior descending artery. After direct stent implantation, pre- and post-stent spasms were verified and reversed after the administration of intracardiac nitroglycerin. The spasm was a possible complication of anesthesia and responded to treatment with nitrates and calcium channel blockers. We would like to emphasize the importance of cardiac monitoring during surgery and anesthesia.

Asymptomatic Elevation of Pancreatic Enzymes: A Case of Gullo's Syndrome.

Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia (BPH) or Gullo's syndrome is a benign condition consisting of an oscillating elevation of pancreatic enzymes without the identification of pancreatic disease. Its diagnosis is usually incidental and by excluding other conditions that occur with elevated pancreatic enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of this diagnosis to this day in Portugal. A 65-year-old female was referred to an internal medicine consultation for complaints of xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and xeroderma with one year of evolution. From the study carried out by the patient prior to the consultation, an incidental elevation of amylase stands out. The sicca symptoms were attributed to sertraline since, after excluding other causes, its discontinuation resolved the symptoms. Regarding the elevation of pancreatic enzymes, the patient underwent an extensive diagnostic study for clarification without identifying any condition. The serial measurement of amylase and lipase revealed an oscillating increase in pancreatic enzymes with temporary normalization. After one year of follow-up, the diagnosis of Gullo's syndrome was established. The identification of Gullo's syndrome is extremely important as it avoids carrying out unnecessary tests in the future and allows the patient to be reassured in the face of this benign alteration of pancreatic enzymes. A follow-up of at least one year is crucial since some pancreatic tumors course with an asymptomatic increase in pancreatic enzymes.

Quality, Safety and Biological Studies on Campylanthus glaber Aerial Parts.

In Cabo Verde, several endemic species are used in traditional medicine. However, no scientific studies have been conducted on the quality, efficacy, and safety of most of these plants. This study focused on establishing the botanical and chemical identification parameters required for a quality monograph of Campylanthus glaber Benth. aerial parts, a medicinal plant of Cabo Verde traditionally used to treat fever and muscular pain. In addition, in vitro antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity were assessed for this medicinal plant. Optical microscopy, LC/UV-DAD-ESI/MS, and colorimetric assays were used for botanical, chemical, and biological studies, respectively. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay with HepG2 cells, and genotoxicity by the Ames test. Microscopically, the xeromorphic leaf of C. glaber presents a thick cuticle (13.6-25.5 µm), thick-walled epidermal cells, anomocytic-type stomata, glandular trichomes (stalk length = 49.4-120.8 µm), and idioblasts containing calcium oxalate microcrystals. The chemical screening of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of this medicinal plant revealed the presence of organic acids, iridoids, phenylethanoids, and flavonoids as the main classes of marker compounds, with malic acid, citric acid, and verbascoside being the main marker compounds identified. Both extracts showed similar LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MS qualitative profiles and DPPH radical scavenger activity (IC50 = 130.9 ± 1.4; 134.3 ± 3.1 µg/mL). The hydroethanolic extract inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. Both extracts showed no cytotoxicity (up to 1000 µg/mL) by the MTT assay and no genotoxic potential with or without metabolic activation up to 5 mg /plate. The results obtained are an important contribution to the monographic quality assessment of C. glaber aerial parts and suggest that this medicinal plant may be safe and potentially used as an herbal drug raw material for pharmaceutical purposes.

Risk factors associated with post-intensive care syndrome in family members (PICS-F): A prospective observational study.

Background: The family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients play a crucial role in modern ICUs. These individuals are predisposed to the development of post-intensive care syndrome in family members (PICS-F), a syndrome experienced by family members of ICU patients in response to critical illness and characterised by new or worsening psychological symptoms. This study sought to evaluate the levels of anxiety and depression exhibited by the family members of patients hospitalised in the ICU. It also aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the experience of PICS-F, which should assist with its prevention in the future. Methods: The study sample comprised 164 ICU patients and their family members. Sociodemographic data were gathered at the time of ICU admission and 3 months after discharge, and the family members were screened for emotional distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Comparison tests were used to test for an association between family/patient characteristics and a positive HADS score. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify the independent factors associated with a positive HADS score. Results: Emotional distress was identified in 24% of the family members 3 months after their relatives had been discharged from the ICU. A number of personal traits were found to be associated with emotional distress in the family members, namely unemployment (p = .008), smoking/drinking habits (p = .036) and personal history of psychopathology (p = .045). In the multiple logistic regression analyses, only unemployment was found to be an independent factor associated with both anxiety and depression in the family members (OR = 2.74, CI 95%: 1.09-6.93). No association was found between the patients' characteristics and emotional distress in the family members. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate an association between emotional distress in the family members of ICU patients and their personal traits, thereby building on the prior literature by suggesting that patient characteristics are less pertinent to the experience of PICS-F. Unemployment may represent a meaningful risk factor for emotional distress in family members (a potential marker of PICS-F), given its relationship with family members' positive HADS scores post-ICU discharge. These findings should influence preventative strategies concerning PICS-F by illustrating the need to assess family characteristics and demographics early in a patient's ICU stay and, consequently, allowing for the early identification of at-risk individuals and the prompt implementation of adequate support services.

The Influence of Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Weight Management in Patients With Obesity in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have led to changes in the lifestyle habits of those patients. This study aimed to compare compliance with dietary and lifestyle measures, physical activity, mental health status, and motivation to lose weight during the pandemic in these patients. METHODS: An observational study was conducted, which included 63 patients over 18 years old who were followed in the outpatient setting through obesity medical appointments and who agreed to answer a questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that the majority of patients lost weight during the pandemic (61.7%), associating it with a 68% change in dietary habits. Regarding physical activity, there was a 34.9% reduction in its practice among those who used to exercise before the pandemic. Moreover, 52.4% felt more anxious and 44.4% felt sadder during the lockdown. DISCUSSION: The weight loss reported in our study seems to be related to a decrease in the consumption of carbohydrates and snacks and a lower percentage of those who relied on takeaways. Additionally, we hypothesize a greater number of home-cooked meals. Regarding exercise, the closure of gyms and the limitations imposed on daily life appear to have contributed unfavorably to this matter. Home confinement, loneliness, and a lack of social activities had harmful effects on the mental health of our sample. CONCLUSION: Overall, the hostile influence of the pandemic on mental well-being and exercise habits was evident. Nevertheless, contrary to our expectations, we observed weight loss during the lockdown.

The Redox-Active Manganese(III) Porphyrin, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+, Impairs the Migration and Invasion of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells, Either Alone or Combined with Cisplatin.

Manganese(III) porphyrin MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+ (MnBuOE, BMX-001) is a third-generation redox-active cationic substituted pyridylporphyrin-based drug with a good safety/toxicity profile that has been studied in several types of cancer. It is currently in four phase I/II clinical trials on patients suffering from glioma, head and neck cancer, anal squamous cell carcinoma and multiple brain metastases. There is yet an insufficient understanding of the impact of MnBuOE on lung cancer. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by demonstrating the effects of MnBuOE on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 and H1975 cell lines. The cytotoxicity of MnBuOE alone or combined with cisplatin was evaluated by crystal violet (CV) and/or 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium (MTS) reduction assays. Intracellular ROS levels were assessed using two fluorescent probes. Furthermore, the impact of MnBuOE alone or in combination with cisplatin on collective cell migration, individual chemotactic migration and chemoinvasion was assessed using the wound-healing and transwell assays. The expression of genes related to migration and invasion was assessed through RT-qPCR. While MnBuOE alone decreased H1975 cell viability at high concentrations, when combined with cisplatin it markedly reduced the viability of the more invasive H1975 cell line but not of A549 cell line. However, MnBuOE alone significantly decreased the migration of both cell lines. The anti-migratory effect was more pronounced when MnBuOE was combined with cisplatin. Finally, MnBuOE alone or combined with cisplatin significantly reduced cell invasion. MnBuOE alone or combined with cisplatin downregulated MMP2, MMP9, VIM, EGFR and VEGFA and upregulated CDH1 in both cell lines. Overall, our data demonstrate the anti-metastatic potential of MnBuOE for the treatment of NSCLC.

Exploring the Mechanisms behind the Anti-Tumoral Effects of Model C-Scorpionate Complexes.

The growing worldwide cancer incidence, coupled to the increasing occurrence of multidrug cancer resistance, requires a continuous effort towards the identification of new leads for cancer management. In this work, two C-scorpionate complexes, [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] (1) and [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 (2), (Tpm = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane and TpmOH = 2,2,2-tris(pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol), were studied as potential scaffolds for future anticancer drug development. Their cytotoxicity and cell migration inhibitory activity were analyzed, and an untargeted metabolomics approach was employed to elucidate the biological processes significantly affected by these two complexes, using two tumoral cell lines (B16 and HCT116) and a non-tumoral cell line (HaCaT). While [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] did not display a significant cytotoxicity, [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 was particularly cytotoxic against the HCT116 cell line. While [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 significantly inhibited cell migration in all tested cell lines, [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] displayed a mixed activity. From a metabolomics perspective, exposure to [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] was associated with changes in various metabolic pathways involving tyrosine, where iron-dependent enzymes are particularly relevant. On the other hand, [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 was associated with dysregulation of cell adhesion and membrane structural pathways, suggesting that its antiproliferative and anti-migration properties could be due to changes in the overall cellular adhesion mechanisms.

Testing the concurrent validity and reliability of a lipowise digital skinfold caliper to assess muscle mass in healthy young adults.

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of a novel tool to assess skinfolds and to compare the muscle mass measured through dual-x-ray-absorptiometry (DXA) and estimated using the Lee equation from the values of the skinfolds and girths in a healthy young adult population. Methods: The present study followed a cross-sectional design, including 38 participants, with 27 males (22.04 ± 5.20 years) and 11 females (21.55 ± 2.39 years). The measurement protocol included a DXA evaluation, basic measurements of body mass and stature, eight skinfolds with two skinfold calipers of different brands (Harpenden and Lipowise), and three girths. The order in which the skinfold calipers were used was randomized. The muscle mass was then calculated using the formula established by Lee et al. Results: No significant differences were found between the two skinfold calipers considering all the outcomes (p > 0.05). The correlation coefficients were between 0.724 and 0.991, which suggest very-large to nearly perfect correlations. The correlations performed revealed that muscle mass estimated from DXA is nearly perfectly correlated with both muscle mass estimated from the data obtained with the Harpenden skinfold caliper (r = 0.955) and muscle mass estimated from the data obtained with the Lipowise skinfold caliper (r = 0.954). From the results, we conclude that Lipowise caliper is an accurate skinfold caliper and it can be an alternative tool for the technician that need to assess body fat or muscle mass in precise, valid and time efficient evaluation. It should be noted that the caution to use skinfold calipers interchangeable with each other when evaluating skinfolds remains a necessity and is advisable to perform the measurements with the same brand and model of skinfold caliper when the purpose is to perform follow-up assessments.